Midwest Fall League: 2026/27 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest Fall League in Columbus tipped off on Saturday at the Big Run Athletic Complex and in this article I'll break down my 2026/2027 standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2462577"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bcf44a53d7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cochran is one of the most talented prospects in the fall league and certainly had the impact you'd expect of a prospect who's played two years on the 3SSB circuit with Midwest Basketball Club. Cochran has the positional size to shoot over smaller defenders and hit a handful of shots spotting up in the corner. Cochran has the length and frame to be an impact defender down the road as well. Hoping to see Cochran become more consistent as an interior finisher, he missed a dunk in traffic but showed some assertiveness later in the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2959395"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bcf44a53e2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lefty Nickell had to do a majority of the creation for his team which led to mixed results but gave me an opportunity to see what Nickell can do with the ball in his hands. When shots were going in, Nickell was making plays happen off the dribble and taking confident pull-up shots on the perimeter. A spin finish in transition might've been the best move I saw Nickell make all day. After scoring 10 PPG as a Junior, I'd expect Nickell to be one of the top scorers and players in the CBC this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2959405"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bcf44a53eb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A CBC rival during the winter, Sweet is a teammate of Nickell during the fall league and got going as a perimeter scorer as the day went on. Sweet is a confident 3-point shooter and has the range to make shots a few feet behind the 3-point line. Able to create from a triple threat, Sweet used the jab step to create space to fire away from 3-point range. After getting some brief action at varsity as a sophomore, I'd imagine Sweet will be in the regular rotation for a Jonathan Alder squad that's one of the more consistent mid division programs in central Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2836010"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bcf44a53f2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on one of the more talented groups at the fall league, I thought McDermott did a nice job playing off the star players on his team that had the ball in their hands for a majority of the time. McDermott spotted up with a purpose and was shot ready off the catch. When McDermott found himself above the break, he had the confidence to put the ball on the deck and get by his defender. This fall league should help McDermott continue to gain confidence by getting to play against top competition. McDermott averaged 17 PPG as a sophomore for Northwestern in the CBC last season and should have even higher expectations this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2575712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bcf44a53fe7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I remembered watching Lusk last year at the Midwest Fall League and he did exactly what I saw a year ago just with a stronger frame and more confidence as a shooter. Lusk's best skill is his rebounding ability as he plays with a high motor and is super active around the ball. The improved skill from last year shows Lusk has been in the gym during the offseason and continuing to improve. Olentangy Berlin has some talented prospects and could be one of the more improved teams in central Ohio this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->